HERNDON, Va., March 12, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- A 2007 Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Award for Excellence was awarded to the U.S. Army's III Corps Battle Command Training Branch's (BCTB) Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS), of which Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is prime contractor, in a ceremony March 11 at the 2008 Defense Modeling and Simulation Conference in Orlando, Fla.

The BCTB program, made up of contractors, government civilians and active-duty military members, was recognized for its innovative uses of simulation in support of battle command training for deploying soldiers and units of the III Corps' "hub" at Fort Hood, Texas, and its "spokes" at Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Sill, Okla.; and Fort Bliss, Texas.

"We are proud to serve on the outstanding team comprised of Army military, civilians and contractors being honored with this award," said Marc Dudley, program manager for Northrop Grumman Technical Services sector. "The team assisted the U.S. Army's III Corps in the acquisition, installation and use of the latest simulation technology to help create integrated Army Battle Command System operator training classrooms able to replicate real-world situational awareness capabilities."

"Key to our winning the award was the team's innovative use of simulation concepts and models employed at all of the U.S. Army III Corps installations providing Army soldiers, leaders and units the most realistic and up-to-date training available," said Doug McNeese, Northrop Grumman deputy program manager and Fort Hood site lead. "The combat realism we added to the multitude of scenarios, to include simulated, virtual unmanned aerial vehicle feeds, has proven to be a mission readiness force multiplier for deploying troops and units."

The DoD Modeling and Simulation Award for Excellence has been presented annually since 1998 to recognize Defense Department people and organizations for achievement in the development of modeling and simulation capabilities and the improvement of military capability, readiness or mission effectiveness. The III Corps BCTB DPTMS is a second-time recipient of the award, previously winning in 2004.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.